It's a tricky balance between wanting to please (i.e. that parents, teacher, etc) and having the pride of an accomplishment well done as well as the pride in themselves. there will be manysuggestions on what WILL work, so let me put on out there that I feel definately DOESN'T work and actually works against you in the long run. Don't give false praise to your children. Bythat I mean, not everything they do is worht gushing over - it's not all perfect or absolutely wonderful. I have seen parents do this and kids are not stupid - they know when something is average or mediocre and when there's a constant barrage of praise, they come to distrust it.